United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Monday 18 December 2023

LOCAL PRESS

• RIK processed 7.893 polling stations from 8.273 (RTS)
• CeSID/IPSOS projections (99.7 percent of sample): SNS 128 mandates, SPN 65 (RTS)
• CeSID/IPSOS estimates based on 99.7 percent of processed sample (RTS)
• Vucic: SNS to have absolute majority with over 127 seats in parliament (Tanjug)
• Brnabic: With 50 pct of votes counted, SNS list has 47.1 pct (Tanjug)
• Serbia Against Violence calls protest, alleges election fraud (N1)
• Dacic: SPS needs new leader (N1)
• CRTA warns of drastic violations on election day (N1)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Dodik congratulates election victory to Vucic and Vucevic (RTRS)
• Dodik: Serbia offers support to the RS for processes that are difficult and uncertain for the Serb people and the RS as a whole, which is why it is important for all citizens in the RS to automatically get the citizenship of Serbia (ATV)
• European Council confirms EC recommendation from November according to which EU accession negotiations with B&H will be opened once necessary degree of compliance with membership criteria is reached (FTV)
• Kristo expresses regret that B&H did not receive support for opening negotiations with EU (BNTV)
• Dodik strongly criticizes decision of European Council not to launch accession talks with B&H (RTRS)
• Cvijanovic reflects on European Council’s decision to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova but not B&H, claims that it conveys bad message (RTRS)
• Viskovic says Ukraine is further away from membership in EU than B&H (RTRS)
• Covic and Croatian Minister Erlic meet in Mostar; Covic on implementation of reforms on EU path: Everything depends on us (Dnevni Avaz)
• US Ambassador Murphy comments on current political situation in B&H, corruption, criticizes Dodik and Izetbegovic (FTV)
• Izetbegovic responds to Murphy: You presented series of lies and one truth- I am not ready to do as you please (Faktor.ba)
• Dodik responds to Murphy’s statement on him leading B&H into conflict: For us in the RS, he is an ordinary Serb-hater and destroyer of everything good that was between the US and the RS (Srna/RTRS)
• Russian Ambassador Kalabukhov harshly criticizes US Ambassador Muprhy’s interview (Oslobodjenje)
• Dodik agrees with Putin’s statement he argues that there is no cooperation with America and Britain (RTRS)
• Viskovic: Putin’s stance confirms there is no future of B&H without internal agreement (RTRS)
• RS officials say Putin sent important messages to RS (RTRS)
• Court of B&H rejects request for transfer of case of trial of Dodik to competent court in Banja Luka (RTRS)
Croatia
• Croatian MEP: West exposed to pressure of new policies and alliances (Hina)
Montenegro
• Mandic supported Vucic in Belgrade; citizens outraged: You, poor Montenegro (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Osmani: Congratulations to Ukraine and Moldova, could have been day to celebrate here too (MIA)
• Kovachevski says will resign 100 days before elections, expects to discuss caretaker government with Mickoski soon (MIA)
• VMRO-DPMNE says no Kovachevski meeting announcement yet, caretaker government decision this week (MIA)
Albania
• Meloni, Rama and Sunak discuss illegal migration and intensification of cooperation (Radio Tirana)
• Rama meets Elon Musk in Italy, Musk-Rama: I would like to come to Albania (Radio Tirana)
• Albanian Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs meets Guterres: Albania is unwavering in its commitment to the UN priorities (Radio Tirana)
• The "Open Data 2023" report-Albania is now also under European monitoring (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

• Pre-election silence starts on 15 December (Beta)
• RIK: Record number of controllers at Sunday elections (RTS/Beta)
• Vucic: West will not give up on so-called Kosovo's independence (RTS)
• Vucic in Kragujevac: Country is not a toy, let's show what country we want on Sunday (B92)
• Brnabic voices reservations toward EU-Western Balkans summit declaration (RTS)
• Vucic: Expecting convincing victory and more than 125 seats (Beta/Tanjug)
• Stano: Agreement on path to normalization legally binding in its entirety (Beta)
• O’Brien: US expects peaceful, fair elections in Serbia (VoA/Beta/Politika)
• Kosovo Serb Council says don’t vote for Vucic (Beta)
• ProGlas Initiative rallies thousands in Belgrade (N1)
• Andjelkovic: Vucic announcing election rigging (Beta)
• Order issued by Prosecutor's Office re׃ information on causing riots on election day (B92)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• European Council decides to open accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova; Date to open accession with B&H prolonged (BHT1)
• Media carried feature on EU-Western Balkans summit and its conclusions; Comments (N1)
• Dodik: Europe needs to free B&H of colonial status, Schmidt and foreigners in Constitutional Court (RTRS)
• B&H CoM adopts Law on Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorist Activities (BHT1)
• Ademovic: Reform of B&H Constitutional Court is impossible without amending B&H Constitution (BHT1)
• Putin: Our assessment of situation in B&H fully coincides with stances of RS leadership (ATV)
• Murphy, Sattler comment on Putin’s statement on compatibility of positions of Russian Federation with those of RS; Sattler says this is certainly not moment to intensify relations with Russia (FTV)
• Dodik: Russia and President Vladimir Putin have proven to be powerful and stable (FTV)
• Murphy: If Dodik thinks that US will sit on sidelines and watch as he dissolves B&H and leads it to conflict, he is wrong (FTV)
• B&H Presidency members meet Slovakian President Caputova; B&H appreciates Slovakia’s support (RTRS)
Montenegro
• Spajic: Economic repercussions but also a blow to Montenegro’s reputation avoided; I will personally monitor process of fulfilling recommendations (CdM)
• Pejovic: Prosecution to deal with the “erasable pen” case; Mustafic: We asked for census to be prolonged to 28 December (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Petrovska: Peaceful, secure Balkans possible only if integrated (MIA)
Albania
• Begaj in Bulgaria: Western Balkans, strategic investment for the EU (Radio Tirana)
• President Radev: Bulgaria supports Albania's journey towards European integration (Radio Tirana)
• European leaders in Brussels, the decision to open the first chapters is expected (Radio Tirana)
• EC, Von der Leyen: The Italy-Albania agreement on migration is commendable (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Wednesday 13 December 2023

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic receives outgoing Spanish Ambassador (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• Vucic receives farewell visit from Belarusian Ambassador (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• Brnabic says record number of observers at 17 December elections (B92)
• General Affairs Council adopts conclusions on enlargement (Beta)
• Council of EU requests Serbia’s Ohrid obligations be added to Chapter 35 benchmarks (Beta)
• Relations with Saint Lucia based on mutual understanding and support (Tanjug/RTV)
• Continuation of trampling on political will of majority Serb people in north of Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug/RTV)
• Northern Mitrovica municipality rejects motion for procedure to oust mayor (Beta)
• Over 60 court summons served to Kosovo Serbs over barricades in north – lawyer (Tanjug)
• Dacic says in Serbia’s interest to have him as prime minister (Beta)
• Hill: I have found EU good will for Serbia, but not for Serbia's problems (Tanjug)
• Serbia Against Violence rallies thousands in Belgrade (N1)
• CRTA NGO to have 3,000 observers on election day (Beta)
• Poll: Vucic has support of 39.8 percent of voters, Serbia Against Violence ticket 25.6 percent (NSPM/Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Aggeler: It would be better if High Representative did not have to intervene, but B&H politicians must do their job (Nezavisne)
• The Netherlands announces they will veto any decision on start of negotiations with B&H on joining EU during European Council’s session (BNTV)
• Szijjarto expresses support to EU integration of B&H, Georgia and Moldova at European General Affairs Council session (Dnevni avaz)
• B&H parliament delegation visits NATO PA, meets NATO PA Sec-Gen Popa (Dnevni avaz)
• US Embassy says Covic and HDZ B&H endanger Southern Interconnection because of personal interests (Dnevni list)
• Dodik’s defense submits new request for transferring the case to Banja Luka, thus additionally postponing the trial (Dnevni avaz)
• Draft Law on Immunity of RS sparks opposing reactions, Stevandic argues those who implement RS parliament document must have equal immunity as those who adopted them (Nezavisne)
Croatia
• Grlic Radman in Brussels: B&H should be rewarded because of its pro-European politicians (Hina)
Montenegro
• Montenegro voted for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza (CdM)
• Croatia, B&H and Montenegro are shaping the future together through cross-border cooperation (CdM)
• Milatovic with the Deputy MFA of China: Montenegro is a candidate for a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (CdM)
• 416,513 persons have been registered so far, Monstat will request an extension of the registration (RTNK)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Marichikj expects validation for screening, supports Xhaferi as caretaker PM (Sitel/MIA)
• Europe not whole unless Western Balkans integrated, North Macedonia an EU candidate for 18 years: Hungarian FM (MIA)
• GAC recommends continuation of North Macedonia's European path after adoption of constitutional amendments (MIA)
Albania
• Beleri Case/Stano: Avoid unnecessary cracks in bilateral relations (Radio Tirana)
• Hasani meets Ambassador Gonzato, focusing on European integration (Radio Tirana)
• Wisner-Gonzato: Partnership in support of Albania's EU membership (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic with ODIHR mission: I expect fair, democratic elections (FoNet)
• OSCE delegation to observe elections in Serbia (Beta)
• Vucic: Right-wing opposition can make the statements it does about Kosovo because it has no accountability (Beta/Politika)
• Petkovic, Lajcak discuss reached agreements, Community, de-escalation (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• Right-wing coalition: Serbian government has relinquished state-owned power infrastructure in Kosovo to Pristina separatists (Beta)
• Djilas: Serbia not deciding between me and Vucic, but between a normal life and current living conditions (Politika)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• US Department of State issues new sanctions against Kajmakovic, Mehmedagic banning them from entering USA (Klix.ba)
• US Embassy: US will continue to hold accountable those who attempt to undermine B&H and its institutions by engaging in corruption or destabilizing activities (Oslobodjenje)
• Dodik, Kristo and Covic meet in Banja Luka; Covic posts that they discussed the need to continue reform process, importance of political dialogue and steps that need to be urgently implemented on the EU path of B&H (BHT1)
• HR Schmidt pays visit to Brussels, holds series of high-level meetings (Oslobodjenje)
• Bulgarian MP Georgiev: Any revision of DPA would open door to conflict, EU applies double standards in region (Glas Srpske)
• Filipovic: B&H’s European perspective is taking on clear shape, issue of legitimate representation is key issue for Croat people (Dnevni list)
• Konakovic at 21st Doha Forum: B&H sees EU membership as opportunity for lasting peace, stability, security and prosperity (Dnevni avaz/Avaz)
• Defense of RS President Dodik appeals Court of B&H's decision rejecting request to transfer trial of Dodik to Banja Luka, files new motion questioning impartiality of judges at Court of B&H (RTRS/ATV)
Montenegro
• Milatovic: The government ignores the call for consultations on foreign policy (MINA)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Pendarovski: Chances to run for second term more likely than not to run (MRTV/MIA)
• VMRO-DPMNE to decide on partaking in caretaker government over next few days: MP (Sitel/MIA)
• Geer: EU membership to bring practical benefits, implementation of reforms requires unity and commitment (MIA)
Albania
• US ambassador to Pristina meets his Albanian counterpart; we look forward to working together for Kosovo (Radio Tirana)
• Albanian contingents hand over the duty to each other at the NATO mission in Latvia (Radio Tirana)

Kosovo’s Marginalized Groups Still Discriminated Against in Workplace – Report (Balkan Insight)